The original holiday on April 4: Vasily Teply — omens and superstitions

Every year on April 4, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Basil of Ancyra, who bravely confessed his faith during the spread of heresy and persecution. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Friday. In Russia, the national holiday Vasily Teply was celebrated on this day. Read about the traditions and prohibitions associated with it in the Izvestia article.

Vasily Teply — the history of the April 4th holiday

Saint Basil lived in the 4th century AD. He was a presbyter in the city of Ancyra in Galatia (the territory of modern Turkey). At the beginning of the century, the Arian heresy began to spread among the clergy and theologians. The followers of this teaching believed that the Son of God is a creation of the Lord, not consubstantial with him and not equal to him. Such ideas were condemned by many believers, as they violated the concept of the Holy Trinity.

Saint Basil was among the ardent opponents of Arianism. He tirelessly urged his flock not to believe the lies of heretics. For this, the local Arian council deprived him of his priestly dignity. However, at the Palestinian Council in 334, he was returned to the rank of presbyter.

April 7 — Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: what does a bright holiday mean?

In 361, Emperor Julian ascended the Roman throne. He intended to revive paganism in the country and used the most cruel measures for this. For this, the Christian Church called him an Apostate.

Despite the increasing persecution, Saint Basil continued to openly preach faith in Christ, refusing to sacrifice to false gods and encouraging others to do so. The presbyter's boldness caused discontent among the authorities of Ankara. He was tried as a man opposed to the state, and after much torture was thrown into prison.

While Basil was in prison, two former Christians who had renounced their faith tried to convince the saint to take the path of paganism, but he remained adamant. Later, Emperor Julian himself arrived in the city. Having learned about the fate of the martyr, he called him to himself and offered to participate in the sacrifice. However, Vasily did not listen to the Apostate, saying that his power would be short-lived, and the ruler himself would face an ignominious end.

The saint's words enraged Julian. He ordered the presbyter to be locked up in a dungeon and strips of his skin to be cut off every day for belts. Basil steadfastly endured the tortures, without ceasing to pray, and after much suffering died in 362.

Vasily Teply in 2025: traditions

In Russia, St. Basil the Warm Day was celebrated on April 4. The holiday got its name due to the fact that by this time warm weather was already setting in most regions, the remnants of the snow cover were actively melting, and drops sounded under the roofs.

For breakfast, the housewives baked small rolls in the form of the sun for each family member. It was customary to eat the whole treat and give the crumbs to the birds. It was believed that it helps to strengthen health and gain strength.

Parents' Saturdays in 2025: how to properly memorialize the deceased on Parents' Day

A total of nine special memorial days are expected during the year

The condition of the shoes was also checked on Vasily Teply. Everything that could be repaired was patched up, and the hopelessly damaged ones were thrown away. According to beliefs, it was necessary to take old shoes out of the house only with their toes forward, otherwise all the problems that he faced when wearing them would return to the owner.

People who planned the construction of a house, a bathhouse, a barn or a pen for animals, carefully watched the flow of meltwater during the holiday. Where the streams flowed from all over the yard, nothing was built, because they knew that the building would be unstable.

What can and cannot be done on the April 4th holiday

Believers are advised to visit a temple or pray at home on this day. It will be useful to get acquainted with the life of Vasily Ankirsky or refresh his memory. In addition, it is important to remember that the holiday falls on Lent, during which you can not eat animal products. During the period of fasting, one should devote more time to good deeds and strengthening one's faith, while idle entertainment should take a back seat.

In Russia, various superstitions were associated with Vasily the Warm. It was believed that on a holiday you can not start several things at the same time, as you will not be able to succeed in any one. It was also not worth sharing your plans and dreams, otherwise they would not come true. On this day, the girls postponed embroidery and other types of needlework so as not to spoil the work.

During the holiday, they tried not to hang their laundry on the street. According to beliefs, evil spirits could get into it, wanting to harm people. The women on Vasily Teply wiped their faces only with their towel to preserve the beauty and fidelity of their spouse.

In addition, they did not eat bread from the hump on the day of the celebration, fearing illnesses in the family. This part was saved for later or given to the birds.

Vasily Teply: signs of April 4th

In the villages, Vasily the Warm was read by the sun. Before dawn, the farmers gathered in the open to watch the sun rise. If it appeared above the horizon in red circles, they expected a good harvest in the summer.

We also paid attention to other signs. So, the bluish tint of clouds on the holiday promised warm and rainy weather in the near future. The melting of snow on the northern side of the anthill indicated a long and hot summer, and on the southern side — the cold summer months. If the weather was fine on the day of the celebration, people understood that the starlings would arrive soon.

Earlier, Izvestia told how Daria the Dirty was celebrated in Russia and what prohibitions were followed on that day.